The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (MNDA) has officially handed over all facilities at the Skills Acquisition Centre Otuoke to Federal University Otuoke a move that can be best described as beneficial to academic pursuits of the institution.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Tuesday May 12, 2015 at the centre, representative of the Minister and Director, Housing and Urban Development, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, TPL (Mrs.) C.N Enekebe described the ceremony as a milestone event which has finally brought to a close the project development process for the centre.

Noting that the skills acquisition centre Otuoke is one of the nine centres built by the Ministry at inception, Mrs. Enekebe stated that the centre is meant to provide low and medium level manpower training in the oil and gas industry.

The Director who urged the University to add value to the facilities commended the efforts of contractors in actualizing the project, admitting that the Ministry was not unmindful of the peculiar challenges encountered during the course of executing the project.

In his remarks shortly after touring the entire facility, Vice Chancellor, FUO, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, lauded the efforts of President Goodluck Jonathan and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs for their magnanimity in handing over the facility to the University.

Prof. Aluko expressed commitment towards effective usage of the facilities assuring that the aim of establishing the skills acquisition centre will not be defeated.

“The training of middle and low skills manpower will be part of our training though the University trains high level manpower”, the VC said.

Situated on a ten (10) hectare land, facilities handed over to the University include;

Others are Laundry block, Cafeteria block, Two (2) Four-bedrooms Bungalows for the Rector /Deputy Rector, Three (3) Blocks of Semi-detached Three-Bedrooms Bungalows for senior staff, Male and Female Hostels of twenty-four (24) rooms each, with four (4) beds each and Two (2) Blocks of flats consisting of Six (6) Two-bedrooms flats and Three(3) One-bedroom apartment each for junior staff.

The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs also handed over to the University a Clinic block, a Generator house with three(3) 250 KVA Generating Sets installed, A Water treatment block with installed water treatment plant, Two (2) Industrial Bore hole water supply, Installation of fire equipment, 1,024m3 elevated tank, 2,048m3 surface tank, water reticulation, Gate house, sporting facilities, street lighting and installation of high and low tension poles and cables.

The taking and handing over ceremony was witnessed by top officials of MNDA, FUO management staff, a TETFUND invitee as the contractors sealed handing over procedures.